By Jillian Abraham
Perhaps one of the most humbling things I’ve been reminded of since arriving in seminary is lack of interaction I have with those who don’t know Christ. This past week, our Growth Group had the opportunity to provide dinner at an apartment complex that hosted an Easter egg hunt. Apparently the children in this apartment complex are superhuman, because the 500 eggs were gathered within the first five minutes of the egg hunt. From there, the guys cooked hotdogs and the group started conversations with the people that came to the cookout.
It amazed me how easy it became to have conversations with people. It became abundantly clear that there was brokenness around every corner. Conversations ranged from shattered homes to ill memories of prior religious experiences. An amazing change occurred as the initial trepidation of new conversations evolved into genuine smiles and side-splitting laughter by the end of the night. Initially, people walked around in their separate groups, but I couldn’t help but smile as I looked around at the end of the night and realized that new friendships had been made.
Some people were thrilled to find out that there was a Growth Group that met in their apartment complex. Others listened eagerly as they heard that there was an Easter service and potluck a mere few minutes from their home on Sunday. Some were intrigued by the sound of a church so different from their own memories of church experiences.
I’m excited to see if any of our new friends will come on Sunday or to Growth Group on Wednesday. I don’t know if any of them will. I don’t know how much our conversations impacted their day. But I do know this: God is at work. As people from all walks of life met each other, stories and experiences were shared. I’ve heard stories all week long of different Growth Groups going out and meeting people, inviting them to the Easter service. This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Everyone is involved. Everyone gives time and effort for the sake of the gospel.
Our goal is not a new number for church attendance. It’s not to get our name out in Raleigh. Our goal is to make His name known. Our passion is Christ. If all our efforts and all our conversation lead anyone to a deeper intimacy with their Savior, our mission has been accomplished. Imago Dei is humbled to be a part of this endeavor for the gospel. And I am excited to be a part of this journey with Imago Dei. May His name be uttered in the neighborhoods. May His fame be made known in Raleigh. And by all this, may His glory reach the nations.
“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.”
Psalm 67:4-5
LOVE this!!!!